Yet more Migrant Hawker pics! This time a mating pair and
settled instead of in flight.

Migrant Hawkers, Shellingford Pit, Oxon

29 September 2012

Another settled one in the sun.

With the temperature at only about 15 C there was still plenty
of activity today when the sun was out.

Migrant Hawker, Shellingford Pit, Oxon

22 September 2012

Very similar to the photo below taken last week. Flight shots of
this species are not too difficult to get with a bit of
patience. This was even taken with manual focusing in a vain
attempt to get onto the Southern Hawker that was present on the
same pool.

Southern Hawker, Shellingford Pit, Oxon

22 September 2012

I spent some time trying to get flight pics of this but without
success - much more difficult than Migrant Hawker! But then it
settled for a little while allowing this shot.

Must be near the end of the unusual 2012 season now...

Emerald Damselfly, Shellingford Pit, Oxon

15 September 2012

Ian Waller had a first site record of this species here last
weekend, and I managed to locate 3 today, of which two were
copulating.

This is a very localised species in the county, with the only
other regular site being Otmoor - almost at the other end of the
county.

Perhaps the Shellingford ones have arrived from Berks, where for
example Sole Common Pond had very good numbers earlier in the
season (see below).

Migrant Hawker, Shellingford Pit, Oxon

15 September 2012

Good to see these present in reasonable numbers for a change.
There were at least 10, probably more.

Click to enlarge.

Migrant Hawker, Shellingford Pit, Oxon

15 September 2012

See above.

Terneral Red veined Darter, Crookham Common, Berkshire

8 September 2012

After this weeks good weather I went back in the hope of finding
some more photogenic adult males. However all I found was this
one terneral - somewhat disappointing.

Also no sign of the Small red eyes or the Lesser Emperor today.

Click pic to enlarge.

Common Darter, Greenham Common, Berkshire

18 August 2012

As well as plenty of the these, a pool just to the east of the
control tower briefly had a Lesser Emperor before it was chased
off by an ordinary Emperor!

Terneral male Red veined Darter, Crookham Common, Berkshire

18 August 2012

A few ternerals were present between the main pool and the
second most north easterly pool. Many thanks to Adrian Hickman
for his tip off on this one! A new UK species for me!

Terneral female Red veined Darter, Crookham Common, Berkshire

18 August 2012

See above

Small red eyed Damselfly, Crookham Common, Berkshire

18 August 2012

Several on the most north easterly pool.

Emerald Damselfly, Sole Common Pond, Berkshire

12 August 2012

A large number were present around this boggy pool.

Emerald Damselfly, Sole Common Pond, Berkshire

12 August 2012

The view from above!

Black-tailed Skimmer, Shellingford Pit, Oxon

11 August 2012

Unusually settled in a setting with a plain background, unlike
the ground which is often their favourite location.

Emperor, Shellingford Pit, Oxon

28 July 2012

The breeze helped to slow this one down - it was hovering
briefly from time to time. Very similar to a pic I got from the
same site in similar conditions last year.

Small Red Damselfly Cothill NNR, Oxon

28 July 2012

One of 2-3 seen at this the only site in Oxon for them, that I
am aware of.

A very difficult to access specimen - with one leg in water
almost up to the brim of my wellies. And then I find afterwards
it had a damaged wing!

Keeled Skimmer, Cothill NNR, Oxon

28 July 2012

Note the unusual head position - normally they droop!

Four spotted Chaser, Shellingford Pit, Oxon

30 June 2012

A very belated start to the dragonfly season this year, with
all the poor weather - especially it seems at the weekends.

In blustery conditions there was a fair amount of activity at
this site, despite the still very reduced water levels.